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The influence of micronutrients namely zinc (Zn) and boron (B) with or without farmyard manure (FYM) on growth, yield and quality parameters viz. ascorbic acid and carotene content of tomato was evaluated. A field experiment was conducted with graded doses of Zn (soil and soil + foliar application) and B (soil application) application with or without FYM for the two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). Results revealed that application of Zn and B significantly enhanced fruit yield and different growth parameters as well as plant tissue concentration of Zn and B in tomato. The highest increase in fruit yield over control (27.6%) was observed with the conjoint application of Zn (soil + foliar), B (2.0 kg ha−1) and FYM. Soil application of Zn at higher doses (10 kg ha−1) as well as its application through both soil + foliar method has an edge over control or its application at comparatively lower doses in increasing the fruit yield of tomato. Results further revealed that combined application of Zn and B can significantly increase the important quality parameters viz. carotene and ascorbic acid content in tomato. Such increase in carotene content to the tune of 25 and 35% and ascorbic acid content to the tune of 7 and 30% over control were observed with soil + foliar application of Zn and 2 kg ha−1 B, respectively. Therefore, optimization of Zn and B doses can improve the yield and quality of tomato as well as helps in correcting the micronutrients malnutrition vis-à-vis nutritional disorders in humans by enriching the antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic tomato cultivation is growing all over the world due to its healthy functional properties and environmental concerns. Recently, some new varieties with increased functional properties, particularly high lycopene, have been developed. However, few were assessed under organic farming systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate physico-chemical properties and the main bioactive compound contents, as well as lipophilic, hydrophilic and total radical scavenging activities of a recently developed high lycopene tomato variety homozygous for hp-2dg genes (HLT-F71) grown under organic conditions for two non-consecutive years (2019 and 2021) compared to the ordinary control 'Nemador' variety. The lycopene, β-carotene, total phenol, flavonoid, vitamin C, radical scavenging activity and tocopherols were analyzed by using spectrophotometric and HPLC methods, respectively. The high lycopene content variety presented suitable marketable yield, average fruit weight, pH, titratable acidity, firmness and higher °Brix, pulp color than the control. Additionally, it has significantly higher lycopene, β-carotene, total phenol, flavonoid, vitamin C and particularly considerable α-tocopherol contents, as well as radical scavenging activity. The high lycopene tomato variety with hp genes proved to be an effective sustainable variety for enhancing tomato fruit yield and functional properties even under organic grown conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombination of commercially available hybrids could produce desirable segregants that act as sources of new alleles for tomato breeding. Seven commercial single cross (SC) hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were crossed in a half diallel fashion to obtain 21 double cross hybrids (DC) to estimate combining ability, mode of gene action and extent of heterobeltiosis for fruit yield, processing qualities and tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) disease severity traits. Predominance of non-additive gene action occurred in the control for all characters except for total soluble solids (TSS) content in fruit that was conditioned by both additive and non-additive gene action. Improvement of most traits in DC hybrids over SC hybrids occurred. Maximum heterotic effect in DC hybrids was for vitamin C content followed by lycopene content, fruit yield per plant, titratable acidity content, number of fruit per plant and percent disease index of ToLCV. Two good combiners, 'PAN-1286' and 'Devi' among SC hybrids were identified based on general combining ability effects and average performance. Commercial exploitation of DC hybrids, 'TO-1458 × L-37' and 'NS-501 × TO-1458' following multilocational testing in the tropics and subtropics might be useful. High yielding, ToLCV disease tolerant DC hybrids could be exploited in segregating generations to identify elite multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is low due to incorrect or use of no magnesium (Mg). An experiment was conducted from October to March 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 to determine the effective dose of Mg to improve yield and quality, and assess nutrient uptake and use efficiency of tomato. Treatments were magnesium at 0 (control), 4, 8, 12, or 16 kg·ha−1. Application of 12 kg·ha−1 Mg produced the most fruit per plant (41.1), heaviest fruit (74.3 g), and greatest fruit yield (69.7 t∙ha−1). Vitamin C content in fruit was best (39.6 mg/100 g) with application of 12 kg·ha−1 Mg. The same treatment had the highest β-carotene (26.1 µg·g−1), improved fruit firmness (1.06 kilogram-force), and had better protein content (18.8%) in mature tomato fruit. Uptake of nutrients was best with 12 kg·ha−1 Mg. Recovery use efficiency of Mg was highest with 8 kg·ha−1 Mg. The best gross margin (48.6%) and benefit-cost ratio (3.11) was with 12 kg·ha−1 Mg. Application of 12 kg·ha−1 Mg appears to improve the quantity, quality, and economics of tomatoes. Regression analysis indicated application of Mg @ 11.3 kg·ha−1 could be optimum to improve the yield of tomatoes under controlled field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tomato is commonly treated as "Protective Food" as it contain high amounts of several nutritive compounds especially carotenoids such as lycopene and â carotene (Provitamin A), flavonoids, phenolic acids and ascorbic acid and minerals like calcium, iron and phosphorus. Development of high yielding varieties, genetic improvement and best selection are the basic outcome of a superior breeding programme. Therefore, a study was conducted out to analyze the combining ability for yield and yield contributing traits of tomato genotypes. Methods: This study analyzed the general combing ability (GCA) and specific combing ability (SCA) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculantum Mill.) including different breeding lines and landraces, which were grown during three seasons (March 2020, September 2020 and March 2021) with row to row and plant to plant spacing of 60 x 45 cm in randomized block designs (RBD) having three replications at the Agriculture research farm of Choudhary Chhotu Ram (PG) College, Muzaffarnagar U.P, India. Morpho-metric data were recorded on five competitive randomly selected plants in each line for sixteen traits. Result: Number of fruit per plant and fruits yield was governed by non-additive gene action suggesting the advancement of the generation for selection to improve these traits. The parents floradade, arka meghali and EC-164563 were estimated to be best combiners for the inclusion in further breeding programs. The cross EC-620406 x EC-528360, a product of good combiners was best performing and can be used to obtain superior recombinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass proliferation and accumulation of the green macroalga Ulva reticulata are problems in coastal areas and affect other ecosystems, such as those involving seagrasses. In the absence of any intervention, the decomposition of these macroalgae over time can disrupt the balance of recipient ecosystems. Attention has been given to the potential use of U. reticulata as a supplier of nutrients for crop species such as tomatoes as a possible solution to the buildup of this unusable seaweed species, which is usually left to decompose in affected seagrass ecosystems; this is the case in the Merambong seagrass meadow in the Sungai Pulai estuary in Gelang Patah, southwestern Johor, Malaysia. We analyzed the macro- and micronutrient contents in U. reticulata to determine nutrient availability. We also performed greenhouse studies to test the effects of crude extracts from dried U. reticulata-Extract "A" and fresh U. reticulata-Extract "B" on plant growth, total yield, and quality vine-ripened fruits. Compared to other seaweed extracts used as plant growth promoters, U. reticulata extracts have higher nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) contents. The application of 30% Extracts "A" and "B" and 50% Extracts "A" and "B" significantly affected tomato plant height. However, extract concentrations that promoted plant height and hastened flowering and fruiting did not increase total fruit yields. Both treatments that positively affected tomato plant height and hastened flowering and fruiting resulted in increased contents of total soluble solids (TSS), beta-carotene, lycopene, ascorbic acid and total titratable acidity (TTA) in the vine-ripened fruits. Agronomically, the application of 5% Extracts "A" and "B", 10%-20% Extracts "A" and "B", and 50% Extract "A" doubled the total yield compared to those of the control, and 40% Extract "A" resulted in the highest total fruit yield. In general, tomato plants responded well to Extract "A" than Extract "B" and presented good total fruit yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was conducted at PAU, Ludhiana with the objective of developing hybrids possessing combined resistance to late blight and leaf curl virus diseases along with desirable horticultural characteristics. The experimental material which included 32 F1 hybrids (developed by line × tester method), 12 parental lines (8 lines and 4 testers; including susceptible check Punjab Chhuhara) and standard check NS-524 were all planted in randomized complete block design with three replications. The values of s2SCA/s2GCA were more than unity for all the traits except average fruit weight and ascorbic acid content, indicating the predominance of nonadditive gene effects. Cross combinations CLN-154 × LBR-12 and CLN-154 × LBR-21 recorded significant heterosis over better parent and check for fruit yield and other quality characteristics. Artificial and natural screening was performed for all the experimental material against late blight and leaf curl virus diseases respectively. Out of 32 hybrids, crosses namely CLN-154× LBR-12, CLN-154 × LBR-21, PVB-1 × LBR-10, PVB-4 × LBR-12 and CLN-104 × LBR-10 were identified for combined disease resistance against late blight and leaf curl virus, in relation to desirable horticultural characteristics particularly fruit yield, average fruit weight, pericarp thickness, dry matter, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content with fair amount of heterosis. Hence, the hybrids which displayed good potential in yield with acceptable performance of qualitative traits, along with combined disease resistance could be utilized for commercial exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of soilless substrate-based versus soil cultivation on overall fruit quality and yield in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were studied using the tomato cv. Zhonghua Lvbao. Experiments for tomato soilless cultivation were carried out under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth, fruit quality and yield, and physiologic traits were observed. RNA-seq and RT-PCR, as well as metabolomic analyses were performed to examine the expressed genes and metabolites under soilless substrate cultivation. The results showed that the plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll contents of tomato under substrate-based cultivation were increased by 37.3%, 19.8%, and 15.3%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation system. Leaf photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and root vitality of tomato, under substrate-based cultivation, increased by 29.0%, 21.2%, 43.9%, and 84.5%, respectively, compared with soil cultivation. The yield reached 7177.5 kg/667 m2, and the relative yield increased by 10.1%, compared with soil cultivation. The contents of total soluble sugar, soluble solids, and vitamin C increased by 35.7%, 19.7%, and 18.2%, respectively, higher than those of soil cultivation in tomato fruits, while nitrate content and titratable acid decreased by 29.4% and 11.8%, respectively. Therefore, substrate-based-cultivation can increase production and improve tomato fruit quality and taste. We examined the expressed genes and metabolites to explore the molecular mechanism of plant growth and overall fruit quality improvement in substrate-based cultivation. A total of 476 differentially expressed genes were identified by transcriptomes profiling, of which 321 and 155 were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 441 metabolites were detected, where 24 and 36 metabolites were up- and down-regulated, respectively. By combining analyses of transcriptomic and metabolic groups, genes and metabolites related to the fruit quality were mainly concentrated in the vitamin B6/ascorbic acid/aldonic acidmetabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. Therefore, substrate-based cultivation can elevate vitamin and soluble sugar contents and the expression of fruit flavor related genes, which lays an initial background for exploring the mechanism of substrate-based cultivation, in order to improve the quality of tomato in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted at GKVK Bengaluru, Karnataka during 2013 to decide the best dilution of distillery spentwash to be utilized as a foliar spray for tomato crop. Results revealed that a foliar application of 1:5 dilution of distillery spentwash resulted in higher growth parameters compared to other dilutions. Based on greenhouse experiment results, a two year field experiment was conducted in a farmer's field at Mandya district, Karnataka during 2013 and 2014. Pooled analysis of two years of data (2013 and 2014) revealed that at 60 DAT, the treatment which received 100% RDF + 5 sprays of distillery spentwash at 1:5 dilution recorded significantly higher plant height (110.2 cm), SPAD meter reading (22.9) and higher fruit yield (7.14 kg plant−1 and 78.9 t ha−1) compared to other treatments. Lower plant height, SPAD reading and yield were recorded in the 100% RDF + water sprays (5 times). Also, significantly higher ascorbic acid content (54.2 mg 100–1) and lycopene content (14.0 mg 100–1) of tomato fruits were determined in the treatment receiving 100% RDF + 5 sprays of distillery spentwash at 1:5 dilution. After harvest of tomato crop, soil properties were higher in treatment which received 100% RDF + 5 sprays of undiluted distillery spentwash; but soil pH was higher in the treatment that received water spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide range of components, including amino acids, small peptides, and osmoactive substances (proline, glycine betaine), makes protein hydrolysate a promising biostimulant type, encouraging plant productivity both under smooth or adverse environmental conditions. Plantbased biostimulants can boost growth, yield, quality, and bioactive compounds in a variety of crops. The present study examined the effects of an enzymatic protein hydrolysate formulation (Activeg) applied different times (3, 6, or 9), compared to an untreated control, on production and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) 'miniplum' fruits grown in a greenhouse during the autumn-winter season. This study was carried out at the University of Federico II, Department of Agriculture (40°49' N, 14°20' E). A randomized complete block design was used to distribute the experimental treatments in the field; the obtained data were analyzed using ANOVA. The biostimulant applied 3 or 6 times led to the highest yields, whereas 6 or 9 sprayings enhanced fruit firmness, dry residue, soluble solids and antioxidants. The biostimulant treatment repeated 6 times resulted in the best overall tomato performances in terms of fruit yield, quality and antioxidant content, in the autumn-winter season, which suggests the chance to reduce the chemical fertilizer input, thus contributing to the vegetable crop system sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) with a focus on yield has indirectly led to reductions in flavor. Development of tomato genotypes with high quality and yield needs efficient tools to monitor trait association in breeding. The objective of the work was to combine simultaneous selection for yield and quality in elite segregating populations of tomato breeding using multivariate methods. Eighty-three tomato lines (S3) were produced, using the modified pedigree method, from crossings of commercial hybrids. Factor analysis determined five hidden factors, which justified 68.62% of variation. The first factor, with the highest percent of justified variance, was effective for fruit yield. The second factor with the most coefficients was effective for fruit quality. The third factor, with extensive, positive, coefficients for fruit length, fruit diameter, and pericarp thickness, was effective for fruit characterization. The fourth factor, with the most factorial load over number of fruit per cluster and high negative weight, was effective for durability of flowers. The fifth factor was affected by number of flowers per cluster, and vitamin C and total soluble solids content. In triplot analysis partially inbred lines 75, 76, 77, and 78 had high values of the first factor and was effective for high performance. The most important traits, based on stepwise regression, were number of fruit per line, single fruit weight, fruit diameter and pericarp thickness. Path analysis indicated number of fruit per line and single fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect on yield and direct selection for these traits is possible. Based on their high positive loading for factors 1 and 3, that had relation to fruit yield and moderate loading for factor 2, where maturity index was negative, partially inbred lines 75 and 78 can be used for subsequent tomato breeding. In tomato, important traits for yield include single fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, and pericarp thickness and titratable acidity must be considered simultaneously to maintain flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to assess the effect of organic phosphorus on the growth, yield and post-harvest fruit traits of tomato. Plants were fertilized with five levels of fertilizers (containing 20% organic mineralized P2O5, 30% decomposed organic matter and 2% organic nitrogen) with the rate of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg ha-1 accompanied with a control. Results showed that Maximum survival percentage, No. of picking/plot, fruit weight, plant height, number of branches, maximum yield was also obtained from the plots treated with 60 kg ha-1 fertilizer. Plots with 60kg ha-1 of organic phosphorus required less days to produce 50% flowering and 50% fruit setting. Fruit maturity duration and No. of defective fruits were also minimum in the plots where fertilizer were applied with the rate of 60 kg ha-1. Results of post-harvest analysis of fruits also revealed that different levels of organic phosphorus (organic phosphorus as a source) have no significant effect on fruit firmness but with the increase in storage time firmness decreases significantly. Total soluble solids were also reduced with the increased level of fertilizer, with the increase in storage time increased the total soluble solids in fruit. Ascorbic acid was found with higher concentrations in high levels of fertilizer which was reduced significantly with the passage of storage time. Fruit juice had maximum pH value in the control treatment which was significantly reduced with the increase of fertilizer level. However, pH started to increase when fruit was stored for more than 12 days. From the results it can be concluded that fertilization with 60 kg ha- 1, tomato plant can response better during pre-harvest and post-harvest period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Selection of seven thermotolerant Italian tomatoes genotypes. • 'Lampião' and 'Fascínio' showed the highest plant production and number of fruit. • 'Candieiro' contains the highest lycopene and ascorbic acid contents. • 'Vedete' fruit is the best source of β-carotene. • The tasters preferred 'Fascinio' due to its aroma and flavor. High temperature is a limiting factor for the production and quality of tomato fruit, especially during the summer in tropical regions, when the cultivation must be carried out in a protected environment due to heavy rainfall. Thus, there is a need to identify cultivars adapted to these climatic conditions. In this study we aimed to carry out the selection of thermotolerant cultivars, adapted to protected cultivation, to combine characteristics of high yield, fruit quality, and consumer acceptance through principal component analysis (PCA). 'Fascínio', 'Lampião', 'Vedette', 'Tytanium', 'Candieiro', 'Mariana', and 'Shanty', grown under high temperatures (36 °C), differed in yield, physicochemical parameters of fruit (soluble solids, titratable acidity and ripening index), bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, lycopene, and β-carotene), and sensory analysis. According to the PCA, 'Fascínio' stood out due to its high yield characteristics (68.32 t ha−1), with a higher prevalence of large (38.6%) and medium (54.9%) fruit, sweeter fruit (4.33 °brix), and were preferred by the consumer, in addition to having thermotolerance and adaptation for the greenhouse. 'Candieiro' presented with the highest content of bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid: 45.31 mg/100 g and lycopene: 2.73 mg/100 g), attributes that add value to the fruit and may fulfill the needs of more demanding consumers. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]